January 19, 2010 Town Board Meeting

Due to insufficient information, two board members (Redlich and Grimm) abstained on a motion to approve a $5,000 appraisal fee for the Metro Diner. The motion failed. The next board meeting would present another opportunity for the board to act on the appraisal proposal or an alternative one.

Ken Brownell was unanimously appointed the new chair of the zoning review committee. He said he hoped to bring the town's zoning code "into the 21st century."

January 1, 2010 Town Board Meeting

In its organizational meeting, the Board unanimously approved 25 of 27 appointments. Councilmen Grimm and Redlich cast no votes on two appointments:
1-Paul Caputo to the Planning Board.
Mr. Caputo is chairman of Albany County Independence Party who oversees the endorsements for Guilderland town candidates. This conflict involving taxpayer money (Caputo receives $4,850 a year for the planning board) made a no vote necessary.
2- Richard Sherwood as Town Attorney
Mr. Sherwood has refused to answer questions from town board members. A chief responsibility of the town attorney is to respond to inquiries from town board members.

Thanks to the entire group of appointees for their service.

December 15, 2009 Town Board Meeting

The Board was split on a vote on approving a new $100 fee for soil disturbance on less than one acre of land. The Board's majority members voted in favor, the minority voted against (3-2 vote).

Councilman Grimm said the permitting papework could easily be absorbed by Town staff and no additional fee is needed. This is unfortunately one more way of reaching into taxpayers' pockets.

The board tabled a vote on transfer of land from the Town to the Pine Bush Preserve Commission. Supervisor Runion had neglected to notify any of the nearby neighbors about the transfer so the Board agreed that should be done first.

The Board approved a new five-year lease agreement for the clubhouse at Western Turnpike Golf Course. The rent will be $75,000 a year for each of the five years of the contract.

The Board also discussed contract negotiations with the Police Benevolent Association in executive session.

December 1, 2009 Town Board Meeting

The Board unanimously approved:

• the appointment of Carl Duda to Sergeant in the Guilderland Police Department
• a settlement of a tax litigation case with Landmark Development Group for four undeveloped vacant losts on Stonebriar Drive
• a new insurance contract for the Town with Capital Bauer --- a one-year policy costing $322,604.

The Board also entered executive session to discuss the lease renewal to the clubhouse at Western Turnpike Golf Course.

November 17, 2009 Town Board Meeting

The Board voted 4-1 (Redlich was lone dissenter) to approve infrastructure for Woodfield Estates, a new subdivsion on East Lydius St. with 45 building lots.

Mary Rozak from United Way spoke about a new 2-1-1 phone help line that connects non-emergency services with people that need them.

November 5, 2009 Town Board Meeting

Supervisor Runion proposed and the Board agreed to a change in a line item in the tentative budget: #A3121.1600 - Personal Services for Paramedics.
The original tentative budget had $686,233.00 in the line. The new figure is $724,877.00. The minority members of the board had fought hard for the increase to enhance public safety.

Acknowledging concerns expressed by minority members about sales tax projections for 2010, Supervisor Runion identified $334,355 in potential cuts if sales tax revenues did not meet expectations.

Supervisor Runion said he was leaving the 2010 sales tax projection at $10,050,000.

The Board voted 3-2 on the 2010 budget, Runion, Slavick, and Pastore in favor, Grimm and Redlich opposed. Councilman Grimm said he couldn't support the pay raise for town board members in the budget during such a tough economy.

October 20, 2009 Town Board Meeting

A motion to have the town budget workshops televised was defeated 3-2. Councilmen Grimm and Redlich voted in favor of opening up the meetings to televised viewing.

The Board held extensive discussion regarding the Ciembroniewiecz Property at 3600 Western Turnpike. The town's zoning enforcement officer raised concerns over old tires and oil runoff on the property. The Board agreed to have the owner return to the next meeting and demonstrate progress has been made on the cleanup.

The Board approved the installation of stop signs to replace yield sings at the intersections of Lincoln Drive and Presidential Way and Lincoln Drive and Jefferson Court per recommendations of the traffic safety committee.